Sealed insulated tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed insulated tank (71) having a bottom wall (6) and a ceiling wall (4), in which at least one first pipe (10) and one second pipe (11) pass through the ceiling wall (4), and the tank (71) includes a support foot (12) that passes through the bottom wall (6) and is fixed to the support structure (1), and a guide device (13) that is fixed to the support foot (12), and the guide device (13) guides the first pipe (10) and the second pipe (11) in the height direction (H) The guide device (13) is configured to guide the translational movement of the first pipe (10), and includes a first collar (25) arranged around the entire circumference of the first pipe (10), a second collar (26) arranged around the entire circumference of the second pipe (11), a support plate (18) fixed to the support foot (12), a first connecting arm (21) connecting the first collar (25) to the support plate (18), and a second connecting arm (22) connecting the second collar (26) to the support plate (18).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed, insulated membrane tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed, insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG) having a temperature ranging between -50°C and 0°C, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These liquefied gases may be, for example, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and ethane or ethylene. These tanks may be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks may be intended to transport or receive liquefied gases that serve as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A sealed insulated tank for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) on board a ship, equipped with a loading / unloading tower, is known. The loading / unloading tower has a tripod structure, i.e. it has three vertical masts fixed to each other by cross members. Each vertical mast is hollow. Two masts thus form the unloading lines of the tank, and for that purpose are associated with a unloading pump mounted near the lower end of the loading / unloading tower, respectively. And the third mast forms a standby well, in which a standby pump and a unloading line can be lowered in case of failure of the other unloading pumps. The loading / unloading tower is also equipped with a loading line that does not constitute any of the three masts. Such a loading / unloading tower is described, for example, in WO 2019211551. One tank may have one or more loading / unloading towers as required.

[0003] The loading / unloading tower is fixed to the lower ends of the three masts and also includes a base for supporting the unloading pump.

[0004] The loading / unloading tower further includes a guide device fixed relative to the underside of the base and cooperating with a support foot fixed to the bottom wall of the support structure, the purpose of which is to prevent horizontal movement of the base of the loading / unloading tower, while also allowing a movement in the height direction of the tank relative to the support foot of the loading / unloading tower, as the loading / unloading tower can contract or expand as a function of temperature. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One idea underlying the present invention is to simplify the construction of passage through a sealed insulated tank, in particular a tank formed by loading and unloading pipes, while taking into account the phenomena of thermal contraction and thermal expansion of the pipes.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed insulated tank for storing liquefied gas in combination with a support structure, the tank having a bottom wall and a ceiling wall facing the bottom wall in a height direction of the tank, the bottom wall and the ceiling wall being fixed to the support structure, at least one first pipe and one second pipe passing through the ceiling wall, the tank comprising: a support foot passing through the bottom wall and fixed to the support structure; and a guide device fixed to the support foot, the guide device guiding translational movement of the first pipe and the second pipe in the height direction. the guide device comprises: a first collar arranged around the entire circumference of the first pipe and configured to guide the translational movement of the first pipe in the height direction during thermal contraction or expansion of the first pipe; a second collar arranged around the entire circumference of the second pipe and configured to guide the translational movement of the second pipe in the height direction during thermal contraction or expansion of the second pipe; a support plate fixed to the support foot; a first connecting arm connecting the first collar to the support plate; and a second connecting arm connecting the second collar to the support plate.

[0007] Due to these features, the pipes are guided directly in the guide device which is itself fixed to the support foot without the necessary intermediate part at the base of the loading / unloading tower as in the prior art. Furthermore, each pipe is guided individually by its own collar. Thus, in case of pipes showing different thermal contraction / expansion behavior, the guide device can provide independent guidance of the translational movement of the lower ends of the pipes in the height direction of the tank. The collars can also prevent the lower ends of the pipes from moving.

[0008] The multiple connecting arms and support plate allow forces experienced by the pipe that have a component in a plane parallel to the bottom wall to be transmitted to the support feet.

[0009] Embodiments of such a tank may have one or more of the following features.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a stiffener is formed along the first connecting arm and / or the second connecting arm.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first connecting arm and / or the second connecting arm includes a connecting tube having a first end and a second end, preferably having a circular cross-section, and a base connected to the first end of the connecting tube and fixed to the support plate, for example by bolts or welding.

[0012] According to one embodiment, one end of at least one stiffener is located towards the base of the first connecting arm or the second connecting arm.

[0013] According to one embodiment, one end of at least one stiffener formed on said first connecting arm is located towards said first collar and is preferably welded to said first collar.

[0014] According to one embodiment, one end of at least one stiffener formed on said second connecting arm is located towards said second collar and is preferably welded to said second collar.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the plurality of stiffeners include a primary stiffener and a secondary stiffener, the primary stiffener extending from the first or second collar to a base of the first or second connecting arm, and the secondary stiffener having a first end located relative to the first or second collar and a second end located a non-zero distance from the base of the first or second connecting arm.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the reinforcements are arranged at a constant angular pitch over the entire circumference of the connecting pipe.

[0017] The stiffener can therefore increase the strength, and in particular the resistance to bending, of the connecting arm.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement is a gusset.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first collar comprises a first tubular portion secured to the first connecting arm and a second tubular portion secured to the first tubular portion of the first collar.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said collar has a right cylindrical shape with a circular, square or rectangular base, preferably a circular base.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the connector includes a first tubular portion fixed to the second connecting arm, and a second tubular portion fixed to the first tubular portion of the second collar.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second tubular portion is removably secured to the first tubular portion by bolting to the first tubular portion.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the first collar and / or the inner surface of the second collar is provided with at least one anti-friction pad, for example extending in the height direction.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the first collar and / or the inner surface of the second collar are provided with a number of anti-friction pads, e.g. extending in the height direction and uniformly distributed on said inner surface.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said anti-friction pads are made of a material with a static coefficient of friction on steel less than or equal to 0.2, preferably less than or equal to 0.1, e.g. for a PTFE anti-friction pad the static coefficient of friction is equal to 0.04.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first pipe is a liquefied gas loading pipe connected to a loading pump and the second pipe is a liquefied gas unloading pipe connected to an unloading pump.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the guide device is a main guide device, at least one third pipe passes through the ceiling wall, and the tank is provided with at least one secondary guide device, the secondary guide device configured to guide the translational movement of the third pipe in the height direction, the secondary guide device comprising a third collar arranged around the entire circumference of the third pipe, and a third connecting arm connecting the third collar to the first pipe or the second pipe.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises, in a thickness direction from the exterior to the interior of the tank, at least one insulating barrier and at least one sealing membrane supported by the insulating barrier and intended to be in contact with the fluid held in the tank.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises, in succession, in a thickness direction from the exterior to the interior of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier comprising an insulating element leaning against a support structure, a secondary sealing membrane anchored to the insulating element of the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier comprising an insulating element leaning against the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane anchored to the insulating element of the primary insulating barrier and intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a vessel for transporting cryogenic liquid products, said vessel comprising a double hull and a tank as described above arranged within said double hull, said vessel extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0032] At sea, liquefied gas storage tanks are subject to cargo sloshing phenomena due to the action of swells. These phenomena can cause very rough conditions within the tanks, which in turn generate high forces within the tanks, especially on the tank equipment such as the first and second pipes. These sloshing phenomena are significant in the transverse direction of the ship, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ship.

[0033] By positioning the connection arms in the direction of the strongest sloshing phenomenon, the risk of damage due to bending is limited, as they function mainly in tension / compression, and the guide device is able to withstand the main sloshing forces.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the first and second connecting arms extend in an arm direction at an angle between 75 degrees and 105 degrees inclusive of the longitudinal direction.

[0035] The arm direction is included in a plane parallel to the bottom wall.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first pipe and the second pipe are located on either side of a cross section passing through the support foot perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the support plate is located in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction, the lateral direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the support plate is fixed to the support foot by at least two connecting plates, which are located in a plane perpendicular to the height direction and are positioned relative to the support plate in the longitudinal direction so as to reinforce the support plate and prevent it from bending.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a transport system for cryogenic liquid products, said transport system comprising a vessel as described above and an insulated pipe arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a flow of cryogenic liquid product through the insulated pipe from the tank of the vessel to the floating or land-based storage facility or from the floating or land-based storage facility to the tank of the vessel.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method of loading or unloading such a vessel, in which the cryogenic liquid product is guided from the tank of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility or from the floating or land-based storage facility to the tank of the vessel through an insulated pipe.

[0040] The present invention, as well as other objects, details, features and advantages thereof, will become more apparent in the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the following non-limiting drawings and the accompanying figures, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sealed, insulated tank according to one embodiment, particularly having a dome structure and a manhole structure in a top wall, and including support feet in a bottom wall. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of a bottom wall of a sealed, insulated tank having support feet and a guide device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support foot provided with a guide device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a support foot provided with a guide device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a bottom wall with support feet and guide devices according to a second embodiment, showing loading and secondary pipes. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a methane tanker including a sealed insulated tank and a terminal for loading / unloading said tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In this application, the terms "internal" and "external" refer to the location of elements of the sealed insulated tank 71 relative to the interior of the tank, with internal elements being closer to the interior of the tank than external elements.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a sealed insulated tank 71 containing liquefied gas and moored to a support structure 1, the support structure 1 being formed, for example, by a double hull 72 of a vessel 70, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0044] The tank 71 is a membrane tank for storing liquefied gas. It has a multi-layer structure from the outside to the inside in the wall thickness direction and comprises a secondary insulating barrier comprising an insulating element leaning against a support structure 1, a secondary sealing membrane anchored to the insulating element of said secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier comprising an insulating element leaning against said secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane 2 intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in said tank 71. The primary sealing membrane 2 defines an interior space 3 intended to receive the liquefied gas. Such membrane tanks are described in particular for example in WO 2014057221, FR 2 691 520 and FR 2 877 638.

[0045] The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank 1 may in particular be liquefied natural gas (LNG), i.e. a gas mixture containing mainly methane and one or more other hydrocarbons, this liquefied gas may also be ethane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), i.e. a mixture of hydrocarbons resulting from the refining of petroleum and containing essentially propane and butane.

[0046] The tank 71 is a polyhedral tank and includes in particular a ceiling wall 4 fixed to an upper support wall 5 of the support structure 1 and a bottom wall 6 fixed to a lower support wall 7 of the support structure 1, the ceiling wall 4 and the bottom wall 6 being spaced apart from each other in a height direction H. The tank 71 further has a front wall and a rear wall 20 which is spaced apart from the front wall in a longitudinal direction L as seen in FIG. 2. The tank 71 also has side walls which close the interior space 3 together with the bottom wall 6, the ceiling wall 4, the front wall and the rear wall 20. The side walls are arranged on either side of the bottom wall 6 in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. When the tank 71 is arranged in the ship 70, the longitudinal direction L corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the ship 70.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a tank 71, where only a portion of the top wall 4 and a corresponding portion of the bottom wall 6 are visible.

[0048] As can be seen in Figure 1, the tank 71 has a dome structure 8 and a manhole structure 9, each of which passes through an opening formed in the ceiling wall 4 and the upper support wall 5. As shown in Figure 1, the manhole structure 9 is spaced a fixed distance from the dome structure 8.

[0049] In particular, the dome structure 8 allows a liquefied gas loading pipe 10 and a liquefied gas unloading pipe 11 to pass through the ceiling wall 4 in a sealed manner. The manhole structure 9 is a structure for ensuring access for workers, for example for repair work, and leads to the internal space 3 of the tank 1.

[0050] The loading pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 open into the inner space 3 of the tank 1 for loading liquefied gas into the inner space 3 or discharging liquefied gas from the inner space 3. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 1, there are support feet 12 passing through the bottom wall 6 and fixed to the lower support structure 7. The support feet 12 are equipped with guide devices 13 arranged to guide the translational movement of the loading pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 in the height direction and to keep the loading pipe 10 and the discharge pipe 11 vertical and on the axis of the dome structure 8. The support feet 12 are therefore located close to the axis of the dome structure 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the dome structure 8 and the support feet 12 are located respectively in the area of ​​the ceiling wall 4 and the area of ​​the bottom wall 6 closer to the rear wall 20 than the front wall.

[0051] The support feet 12 and guide devices 13 are described in more detail below.

[0052] 2 to 5 show a support foot 12 equipped with a guide device 13 according to several embodiments.

[0053] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the support foot 12 has a frustoconical lower part 14, extending in the height direction H, having a shape of revolution with a circular cross section and connected at its end with the smallest diameter to a cylindrical upper part 15. The larger diameter base of the frustoconical lower part 14 is fixed to the lower support wall 7 of the support structure 3. The frustoconical lower part 14 extends through the thickness of the bottom wall 6 of the tank 71 beyond the level of the primary sealing membrane 2. The cylindrical upper part 15 is sealed, for example, by means of a disk. The secondary sealing membrane and the primary sealing membrane 2 are connected in a sealed manner to the frustoconical lower part 14 by means of a secondary collar 16 and a primary collar 17.

[0054] The guide device 13 is welded to the cylindrical upper part 15 of the support foot 12. The guide device 13 comprises a support plate 18 which is fixed to the cylindrical upper part 15 by means of two connecting plates 19, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3. The connecting plates 19 are for example welded, one to the cylindrical upper part 15 and the other to the support plate 18. The support plate 18 lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, whereas the connecting plates 19 are arranged parallel to the support plate 18 in a plane perpendicular to the height direction H. The connecting plates 19 serve to fix the support plate 18 and are used as reinforcements.

[0055] The guide device 13 also has a first connecting arm 21 and a second connecting arm 22. Each of the connecting arms 21, 22 has a base 23 that is formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape and is fixed to the support plate 18, for example, by bolting. The base 23 of the first connecting arm 21 and the base 23 of the second connecting arm 22 are disposed on both ends of the support plate 18.

[0056] Each of the connecting arms 21, 22 is connected at a first end to the base 23 and further has a connecting tube 24 extending along an axis parallel to the lateral direction T.

[0057] Finally, the guide device 13 comprises a first collar 25 arranged all around the loading pipe 10 and fixed to the second end of the first connecting arm 21, and a second collar 26 arranged all around the unloading pipe 11 and fixed to the second end of the second connecting arm 22. The first collar 25 and the second collar 26 have central axes oriented vertically so as to guide the translational movement of the pipes 10, 11 in the longitudinal direction of the tank.

[0058] Each of the collars 25, 26 is formed with a first cylindrical portion 27 which is welded to the second end of the connecting pipe 24. The first cylindrical portion 27 has attachment zones 28 on either side of the first cylindrical portion 27. Each of the collars 25, 26 is also formed with a second cylindrical portion 29 having attachment zones 28 on either side of the second cylindrical portion 29 and positioned opposite the attachment zones 28 of the first cylindrical portion 27. The first cylindrical portion 27 is removably fixed to the second cylindrical portion 29 by bolting to form a cylindrical collar which surrounds one of the pipes 10, 11.

[0059] As shown in particular in Figure 3, the inner surface of the first collar 25 and the inner surface of the second collar 26 are each equipped with a number of anti-friction pads 30 extending in the height direction and regularly distributed on the inner surface. The anti-friction pads 30 are configured to act as contact surfaces limiting friction on the pipes 10, 11. The anti-friction pads are made of a material selected, for example, from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0060] In order to reinforce the connecting tube 24 of the connecting arms 21,22, in particular against any bending forces, reinforcements 31,32 extending in the longitudinal direction of the connecting arms 21,22 are welded along the connecting tube 24.

[0061] 3 shows a first embodiment of the guide device 13, while FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment, which differs in the number and arrangement of the reinforcing members 31, 32 in the connecting pipe 24. As shown in FIG.

[0062] In the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 3, the connecting pipe 24 of the first connecting arm 21 has two primary stiffeners 31 arranged on either side of the connecting pipe 24 and two primary stiffeners 31 located in a plane perpendicular to the height direction H and passing through the central axis of the connecting pipe 24. The primary stiffeners 31 of the first connecting arm 21 have a first end welded to the first collar 25 and a second end opposite the first end and welded to the base 23 of the first connecting arm 21, such that the primary stiffeners 31 extend over the entire dimension of the longitudinal direction L of the connecting pipe 24.

[0063] Similarly, according to the first embodiment, the connecting tube 24 of the second connecting arm 22 has two secondary stiffeners 32 arranged on either side of the connecting tube 24 and two secondary stiffeners 32 lying in a plane perpendicular to the height direction H and passing through the central axis of the connecting tube 24. The secondary stiffener 32 of the second connecting arm 22 has a first end welded to the second collar 26 and a second end opposite the first end and arranged at a certain distance from the base 23 of the second connecting arm 22, such that the secondary stiffener 32 extends over part of the longitudinal dimension L of the connecting tube 24.

[0064] In the second embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, compared to the first embodiment, primary reinforcements 31 are added around the entire circumference of the connecting tube 24 of the first connecting arm 21. In this embodiment, the connecting tube 24 of the first connecting arm 21 is equipped with six reinforcements 31 regularly distributed around the entire circumference of the connecting tube 24 and extending from the first collar 26 to the base 23.

[0065] In other embodiments, the number and arrangement of the stiffeners 31, 32 in the connecting pipe 24 of the connecting arms 21, 22 can be varied. In practice, the connecting pipe 24 is provided with at least two stiffeners 31, 32, which can be exclusively primary stiffeners 31 or exclusively secondary stiffeners 32, or alternately primary stiffeners 31 and secondary stiffeners 32.

[0066] In Fig. 5 the loading pipe 10 and the secondary pipe 33 are shown together with the support foot 12 and the guide device 13. The loading pipe 10 thus passes through the first collar 26 of the guide device 13. As for the secondary pipe 33, it is also guided in translation in the height direction H by the secondary guide device 34.

[0067] The secondary guide device 34 comprises a secondary collar 36 arranged around the entire circumference of one of the secondary pipes 33 and a secondary connecting arm 35 fixed at one end to the secondary collar 36 and at the other end to one of the pipes 10, 11. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the secondary guide device 35 is fixed to the loading pipe 10 and each secondary guide 33 is guided by a number of secondary guide devices 35 distributed in the height direction H.

[0068] With reference to Figure 6, a cross-section of a methane tanker vessel 70 shows a sealed, insulated tank 71 having a prismatic overall shape mounted on a double hull 72 of the vessel. The walls of the tank 71 include a primary containment barrier intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary containment barrier arranged between the primary containment barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary containment barrier and the secondary containment barrier and between the secondary containment barrier and the double hull 72.

[0069] In a manner known per se, a loading / unloading pipe 73 located on the top deck of the vessel can be connected by suitable connectors to an offshore or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG to or from the tank 71.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows an example of a marine terminal including a loading and unloading station 75, a submerged pipe 76 and an onshore facility 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation including a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible tubes 79 that can be connected to the loading / unloading pipes 73. The rotatable movable arm 74 fits the loading gauge of all methane tankers. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends into the hull 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows both unloading of methane tankers 70 to the onshore facility 77 and loading of methane tankers 70 from the onshore facility 77. The onshore facility 77 has a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 that is connected to the loading and unloading station 75 via the submerged pipe 76. The underwater pipes 76 allow liquefied gas to be transported over long distances, for example 5 km, between the loading and unloading station 75 and the onshore facility 77, thereby allowing the methane tanker vessel 70 to remain far from shore during loading and unloading.

[0071] Pumps on board the vessel 70 and / or pumps mounted on the land facility 77 and / or pumps installed at the offloading station 75 are used to generate the necessary pressure to transfer the liquefied gas.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, it is clear that the invention is in no way limited thereto, and that all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof, provided that the conditions are met, are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

[0073] Use of the terms "comprise" or "include" and their conjugations does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps in addition to those stated in a claim.

[0074] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as construing as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A sealed, insulated tank (71) for storing liquefied gas, connected to a support structure (1), the tank (71) having a bottom wall (6) and a ceiling wall (4) facing the bottom wall (6) in a height direction (H) of the tank (71), The bottom wall (6) and the top wall (4) are fixed to the support structure (1), At least one first pipe (10) and one second pipe (11) pass through the ceiling wall (4); The tank (71) support feet (12) passing through the bottom wall (6) and fixed to the support structure (1); a guide device (13) fixed to the support foot (12); The guide device (13) is configured to guide the translational movement of the first pipe (10) and the second pipe (11) in the height direction (H), The guide device (13) a first collar (25) arranged around the entire circumference of the first pipe (10) and configured to guide the translational movement of the first pipe (10) in the height direction (H) during thermal contraction or expansion of the first pipe (10); a second collar (26) arranged around the entire circumference of the second pipe (11) and configured to guide the translational movement of the second pipe (11) in the height direction (H) during thermal contraction or expansion of the second pipe (11); a support plate (18) fixed to the support foot (12); a first connecting arm (21) connecting said first collar (25) to said support plate (18); a second connecting arm (22) connecting the second collar (26) to the support plate (18); A tank (71) comprising:

2. 2. The tank (71) according to claim 1, characterized in that a stiffener is formed along the first connecting arm (21) and / or the second connecting arm (22).

3. 3. The tank (71) according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement is a gusset.

4. The first collar (25) includes a first cylindrical portion (27) fixed to the first connecting arm (21) and a second cylindrical portion (29) fixed to the first cylindrical portion (27) of the first collar (25), The tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second collar (26) comprises a first cylindrical portion (27) fixed to the second connecting arm (22) and a second cylindrical portion (29) fixed to the first cylindrical portion (27) of the second collar (26).

5. 4. The tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner surface of the first collar (25) and / or the inner surface of the second collar (26) are provided with at least one anti-friction pad (30).

6. 6. The tank (71) according to claim 5, characterized in that the anti-friction pads (30) are made of a material with a static friction coefficient on steel of less than 0.

2.

7. the first pipe (10) is a liquefied gas loading pipe connected to a loading pump; The tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second pipe (11) is a liquefied gas unloading pipe connected to an unloading pump.

8. The guide device (13) is a main guide device (13), At least one third pipe (33) passes through the ceiling wall (4), The tank (71) is provided with at least one secondary guide device (34), the secondary guide device (34) is configured to guide the translational movement of the third pipe (33) in the height direction (H); The secondary guide device (34) a third collar (36) disposed around the entire circumference of the third pipe (33); a third connecting arm (35) connecting the third collar (36) to the first pipe (10) or the second pipe (11); A tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises:

9. The tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tank (71) comprises, in a thickness direction from the exterior to the interior of the tank (71), at least one insulating barrier and at least one sealing membrane supported by the insulating barrier and intended to be in contact with a fluid held in the tank (71).

10. 1. A vessel (70) for transporting cryogenic liquid products, characterized in that it comprises a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 arranged within the double hull, the vessel (70) extending in a longitudinal direction (L).

11. 11. The vessel (70) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first (21) and second (22) connecting arms extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

12. 11. The ship (70) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first pipe (10) and the second pipe (11) are located on either side of a cross section passing through the support foot (12) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), and the support plate (18) is located in a plane perpendicular to a transverse direction (T), the transverse direction (T) being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

13. The support plate (18) is fixed to the support foot (12) by at least two connecting plates (19); The connecting plate (19) is located in a plane perpendicular to the height direction (H), The connecting plate (19) reinforces the support plate (18) and 11. The vessel (70) according to claim 10, characterized in that the support plate (18) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (L) so as to prevent the support plate (18) from bending.

14. 1. A transport system for a cryogenic liquid product, comprising: The transportation system comprises: A vessel (70) according to claim 10; an insulated pipe (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a flow of cryogenic liquid product through the insulated pipe from the vessel's tank (71) to the floating or land-based storage facility (77) or from the floating or land-based storage facility (77) to the vessel's tank (71); A transportation system comprising:

15. 11. A method of loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 10, characterized in that the cryogenic liquid product is guided from the vessel's tank (71) to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) or from the floating or land-based storage facility (77) to the vessel's tank (71) through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81).

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